Margaret Rohrbough, a 20-year-old white female, was murdered on December 2, 1979, in Costa Mesa, California. Her death was later attributed to Gerald Parker, a serial killer known as the 'Bedroom Basher,' who terrorized Orange County during the late 1970s. Parker, a former U.S. Marine stationed at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, was responsible for a series of brutal home-invasion rapes and murders between 1978 and 1979. His modus operandi involved entering victims' residences at night, often through unlocked doors or windows, and attacking them with blunt objects such as two-by-fours or hammers. The assaults typically included severe beatings and sexual assaults, leading to the deaths of several young women.
Rohrbough's case remained unsolved for years until advancements in DNA technology in the mid-1990s allowed investigators to revisit cold cases. In 1996, DNA evidence linked Parker to multiple unsolved murders in Orange County, including that of Margaret Rohrbough. Upon confrontation with the evidence, Parker confessed to the crimes, providing detailed accounts that matched the circumstances of the attacks. His confessions, combined with the DNA evidence, led to his conviction on six counts of first-degree murder, including special circumstances, making him eligible for the death penalty. In 1999, Parker was sentenced to death and is currently incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison.
The resolution of Rohrbough's case brought some measure of closure to her family and the community, highlighting the importance of forensic advancements in solving cold cases. Parker's apprehension not only provided justice for the victims and their families but also underscored the potential for wrongful convictions, as seen in the case of Kevin Lee Green, who was exonerated after Parker's confession to a separate crime. The tragic death of Margaret Rohrbough serves as a somber reminder of the impact of violent crime and the enduring pursuit of justice.
